Marianne C. Ferguson
Professor
(716) 878-4713
Campus Address: Bishop Hall 246
fergusmc@buffalostate.edu
Bio: Dr. Ferguson's interest in Religious Studies began at an early age when she won a prize at a quiz show featuring knowledge of theology. An opportunity to do graduate study in Religion and Philosophy in Rome Italy, brought her to the center of Christian art, architecture, literature and thought. Teaching Scripture on the High School and Adult Education level led her to a Doctorate in Philosophy of Religion at McMaster University in Canada and an appointment at Buffalo State. She created the courses Christian Thought, New Testament, Writings of John and Women in Global Religion, all of which I teach along with Intro to Religion and World Religions.
As a victim of discrimination against women, Dr. Ferguson has been interested in Women’s Studies and wrote her first book, Women and Religion, to depict the oppression of women by world religions and the creative ways that women cope with the situation. Her undergraduate degree in Education encouraged her to research methods to improve teaching and learning. Her research through travel has enriched her teaching as she could bring artifacts, pictures and her related experiences from Italy, Greece, Ireland, England, Turkey, Israel, Africa and the American Southwest to the classroom. She has always been interested in student learning, which has been energized by her association with the Carnegie Academy for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning since its inception on this campus.
Education:
Ph.D. (Philosophy of Religion): McMaster University, 1980
M.S. (Education): State University at Buffalo, 1974
M.A. (Sacred Science), St. Bonaventure University, 1966
Licentiate (Theology), Regina Mundi Pontifical University, 1965
B.S. (Education): Buffalo State College
Areas of Interest:
Christianity, World Religions, Women and Religion
Publications:
Books:
Christian Thought: An Introduction, Waveland Press, 2000.
Women and Religion, Prentice Hall, 1995.
Entries in an Encyclopedia:
"Liberation Theology" in Encyclopedia of Multiculturalism, Salem Press, 1997, pp. 234-38
"Roman Catholicism" in Encyclopedia on Family Life, Salem Press, 1998, pp. 1155
Entries in Anthologies:
"Catholicism and Families" in Family Life, Salem Press, 1997, pp. 145-49.
"Women Church" and "Women in Judaism" in Women's Issues, Salem Press, 1997. pp 475-478
"Leadership Conference of Women Religious" pp. 244-246 and "Network" pp. 450-454, Women's Interest Groups, Greenwood Press, 1995.
"Catholic Attitudes Toward Sexuality" in Human Sexuality, Garland Press, 1994, pp. 81-90.
Journal Articles:
"Use of Student Feedback on Reflection papers to Assess Critical Thinking" Mountainrise, A Journal of Teaching and Learning, Fall 2008
"Use of Technology to Improve Teaching and Learning" Mountainrise, A Journal of Teaching and Learning, Winter 2006
"Are Catholics Ready for Another Revolution?" Creighton University Press, Spring 2003 Electronic Journal
"An Approach to Ethics Utilizing the Experience of Women. " Religious Education, Spring, 1996, pp. 255-266
"What Eastern Religions Teach Us About Religious Education" Religious Education, Spring 1989,pp. 165-173
Chapters in Books:
"Teaching Values Through Educational Service Opportunities” in the Buffalo State monograph on the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. 2000
“Biblical Interpretations that Influence Promise Keepers” in Standing on the Promises, Pilgrim Press, 1999
Book Reviews:
“Women of Power and Grace.” Dialogue and Alliance, Spring/Summer, 1996.
Textbook Reviews:
Women in World Religions. Pearson, 2007
World Religions, Blackwell. 2005,
Textbook proposals, World Religions. Longmans 2005
Professing Faith, textbook for Wadsworth Publishing Company, 1996.
Presentations:
“Influence of the Goddess Culture on Biblical History,” Biblical Archeology Society
“Goddess Culture in Ephesus” and “Isle of Patmos and the Book of Revelation,” Educational Tour of the Greek Islands
“Women and Religion,” National Association of American Penwomen
"Youth and Spirituality," Western New York Foster Parents Association
"Pornography and the Exploitation of Women", Buffalo State
"Feminine Spirituality," Women's Issues Conference, Marist College, Poughkeepsie
"Eastern Religion Meditation," Renewal Center, Lewiston, NY
"Goddess Culture," Biblical Archaeological Committee, Buffalo, NY
"Role of Women in Christianity," Moslem Mosque
“Feminine Spirituality," St. Stephens Church, Manhattan, NY